Amritsar Police Bust International Drug Cartel, Seize 10.2kg Heroin in Major Crackdown
Chandigarh/Amritsar, May 18,
Significant Breakthrough in Anti-Drug Campaign
In a major operation under the Punjab government’s anti-drug initiative ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh,’ launched on the directives of Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann, the Amritsar Commissionerate Police dismantled an international narco-trafficking cartel on May 18, 2025. The police arrested three operatives and seized 10.2 kg of heroin, along with two motorcycles used for drug distribution, as announced by Director General of Police (DGP) Punjab Gaurav Yadav.
Details of the Arrests
The arrested individuals were identified as:
- Akashdeep Singh (22) and Akash alias Mota (19), both from Cheema Kalan, Tarn Taran
- Sandeep Singh (30) from Kotli Vasawa Singh, Tarn Taran
DGP Yadav revealed that Akashdeep Singh and Sandeep Singh had been in contact with Pakistan-based smugglers for the past six years. These smugglers utilized drones to deliver heroin consignments across the border, which the accused then distributed to various locations for further trafficking. Investigations are ongoing to uncover the network’s forward and backward linkages.
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Operation Details
Commissioner of Police (CP) Amritsar Gurpreet Singh Bhullar shared that the operation was initiated based on credible intelligence. A team led by DCP Detective Ravinderpal Singh, ADCP Detective Jagbinder Singh, ACP Detective Harminder Singh Sandhu, and Incharge CIA Staff-1 Amolakdeep Singh arrested Akashdeep Singh and Akash alias Mota on Gurudwara Bohri Sahib Road, recovering 1.01 kg of heroin and a motorcycle.
Following their interrogation, the police apprehended their accomplice, Sandeep Singh, on Chabhal Road, seizing an additional 9.2 kg of heroin and another motorcycle. CP Bhullar disclosed that Sandeep Singh, active in drug trafficking since 2018–19, is suspected of smuggling over 200 kg of heroin to date. The police have obtained remand to interrogate the accused further, with expectations of more arrests and recoveries in the coming days.
Legal Action
A First Information Report (FIR No. 127, dated May 16, 2025) was registered under sections 21-C, 23, and 29 of the NDPS Act at Police Station Islamabad in Amritsar, formalizing the legal proceedings against the accused.
A Step Forward in ‘Yudh Nashian Virudh’
This operation marks a significant achievement in Punjab’s fight against drug trafficking, targeting cross-border smuggling networks. The use of drones for drug delivery highlights the evolving tactics of smugglers, underscoring the need for advanced countermeasures. The arrests and seizures reflect the Punjab Police’s commitment to disrupting drug cartels and protecting communities from the drug menace.
